MAILBAG - Nov. 7, 2000

Good to see local writers published

What a wonderful opportunity for students to write in about their

books. Bravo, Newport Beach Public Library and young adult librarians!

Thank you to the Daily Pilot for publishing students’ comments.

As a teacher at Newport Harbor High School, I was particularly

gratified to see two of my favorite writers, Jennifer Pulford and Nick

Sacco, published in the paper.

AMY CAULFIELD

Newport Beach

South Coast Plaza isn’t an airport

In response to a reader’s criticism of the new bridge that links both

sides of South Coast Plaza, and the question why there aren’t “people

movers on the bridge, like at airports,” that’s precisely one of the

reasons we didn’t elect to put one in.

Public opinion studies revealed that too many associate motorized

walkways with airports and a long walk. It takes a 1.5-minute walk on a

short bridge to walk South Coast Plaza’s new Bridge of Gardens. And, I

might add, South Coast Plaza has not only added another dimension to its

“walking environment,” but another piece of architectural splendor.

WERNER ESCHER

Costa Mesa

EDITOR’S NOTE: Werner Escher is employed by South Coast Plaza.

Architectural vision lost locally

The recent announcement that Renzo Piano is the choice of architect

for a New York Times skyscraper reminds us of our lost chance to achieve

national importance.

It is remembered that Piano was the choice of the Newport Harbor Art

Museum -- now the Orange County Art Museum -- for the ill-fated project

never built at MacArthur Boulevard and Coast Highway.

He is known, of course, for many museums, including the Beyeler Museum

in Basel, Switzerland, and the DeMenil Museum in Houston. He also did the

huge, new Osaka airport in Japan.

The building in New York will be 45 stories and include a theater and

museum.

LEON LYON

Newport Beach